Methods of assembling exercise apparatus

Abstract

A rowing exercise apparatus has a linkage assembly that is provided in two boxes. One box includes a forward frame member, a crank rotatably mounted on the forward frame member, and a forward portion of a seat supporting link operatively connected to the crank. Another box includes a rearward frame member, a rocker link pivotally mounted on the rearward frame member, and a rearward portion of the seat supporting link operatively connected to the rocker link. The linkage assembly is made suitable for use by rigidly connecting the two frame members to one another and by rigidly connecting the two portions of the seat supporting link to one another. At least one bracket is rigidly interconnected between the two portions of the seat supporting link. One such bracket is welded onto a rearward end of the forward portion of the seat supporting link to underlie and directly support a proximate end of the rearward portion of the seat supporting link. A seat is mounted on the seat supporting link for movement through at least one elliptical path as the linkage assembly moves through cycles relative to the rigidly interconnected frame members.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of assembling an exercise apparatus, comprising the steps of:
 providing separate front and rear portions of the exercise apparatus, wherein (a) the front portion includes (i) a front frame member configured to occupy a stable position on an underlying floor surface, (ii) a crank rotatably mounted on the front frame member, and (iii) a link having a forward end and an opposite, rearward end, wherein the forward end of the link is operatively connected to the crank, and (b) the rear portion includes (i) a rear frame member configured to occupy a stable position on an underlying floor surface, (ii) a rocker link pivotally mounted on the rear frame member, and (iii) a seat supporting beam having a rearward end and an opposite, forward end, wherein the rearward end of the beam is operatively connected to the rocker link; 
 rigidly connecting the front frame member to the rear frame member; and 
 rigidly connecting the forward end of the beam to the rearward end of the link, wherein the rearward end of the link is bolted to the forward end of the beam, wherein the rearward end of the link includes a bracket that defines an upwardly facing surface, and wherein the forward end of the beam is positioned on top of the upwardly facing surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  1 , wherein the providing step involves removing said front and rear portions from respective first and second boxes. 
     
     
       3. The method of  1 , wherein the first said connecting step involves bolting the front frame member to the rear frame member. 
     
     
       4. The method of  1 , wherein the forward end of the beam includes a discrete bracket, and the second said connecting step involves inserting at least one bolt through each said bracket. 
     
     
       5. The method of  1 , wherein said at least one bolt includes a first bolt and a second bolt, and the second said connecting step involves inserting the first bolt through vertically aligned holes in each said bracket, and inserting the second bolt through horizontally aligned holes in each said bracket. 
     
     
       6. The method of  1 , further comprising the step of operatively mounting a seat on top of the beam. 
     
     
       7. A method of assembling an exercise apparatus, comprising the steps of:
 providing a frame, a crank rotatably mounted on one end of the frame, a forward seat supporting member operatively connected to the crank, a rocker link pivotally mounted on an opposite end of the frame, a rearward seat supporting member having a first end operatively connected to the rocker link and an opposite, second end, and a bracket rigidly mounted on top of the forward seat supporting member to define an upwardly facing surface; 
 positioning the second end of the rearward seat supporting member on top of the upwardly facing surface on the bracket; and 
 rigidly securing the second end of the rearward seat supporting member to the bracket. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  7 , wherein the rigidly securing step involves inserting a first bolt vertically through aligned vertical holes in the bracket and the second end, and inserting a second bolt horizontally through aligned horizontal holes in the bracket and the second end. 
     
     
       9. A method of assembling an elliptical rowing exercise apparatus, comprising the steps of:
 providing a frame, a crank rotatably mounted on one end of the frame, a forked member having left and right ends rotatably connected to respective left and right sides of the crank, a rocker link pivotally mounted on an opposite end of the frame, a beam having a first end pivotally connected to the rocker link and an opposite, second end, and a bracket rigidly mounted on top of a middle portion of the forked member to define an upwardly facing surface; 
 positioning the second end of the beam on top of the upwardly facing surface on the bracket; and 
 rigidly securing the second end of the beam to the bracket. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  9 , wherein the rigidly securing step involves inserting a first bolt vertically through aligned vertical holes in the bracket and the second end, and inserting a second bolt horizontally through aligned horizontal holes in the bracket and the second end.